In a tense game of chicken, remarkable for its mix of petulance and audacity, congressional Republicans are threatening to halt U.S. aid to Ukraineāguaranteeing a Russian breakthrough and possible victory in that warāunless Democrats help pass a bill that all but locks down Americaās Southern border.
If the impasse isnāt resolved by the end of next week, when Congress goes on recess until the new year, the Ukrainian army could run out of ammunition. President Joe Biden could resupply the arsenal from U.S. stockpiles without legislative approval, but the move would be temporary, and the signal sentāthat Ukraine, and by implication other allies, can no longer count on U.S. support in a pinchācould be a holiday cork-popper for Russian President Vladimir Putin and all of our other adversaries.
The answer is that conservative thinking is driven by fear. Itās not that liberals donāt fear things, itās that liberal thinking isnāt driven primarily by fear.
This is a stupid question, but what is connection of fear-based thinking and not surprising Ukraine or supporting Putin?
The Republican base is taught to fear. Fear liberals, fear diversity, fear whatever theyāre told to fear. A generation ago they were told to fear Russia, so we opposed Russians with all our strength. Theyāre told the only salve for their fear is a strong leader.
Now, today, Putin presents himself as a strong leader and suddenly Russia is no longer to be feared but admired. So what that he wants to rebuild the Soviet Union by invading the nations around him? Trump says heās a good guy, so obviously when he says heās invading Ukraine for their own good he must be telling the truth.
They follow anyone who presents themselves as strong and confident because that allays their fears somewhat. And since their current leaders like Russia and donāt like Ukraine, thatās what theyāre supporting.
The fear is that a trans! woman might sneak up behind you at the urinal and sodomize you!
So Republican fears are just their deepest fantasies?
Well when you put it that way, yes. Absolutely.